May 2026 Best Heavy Metal Albums

Here are our picks for May 2026’s best new heavy metal albums.

1. Dimmu Borgir – Grand Serpent Rising (Nuclear Blast)

Eight long years have elapsed since the last album from Norwegian symphonic black metal legends Dimmu Borgir. Vocalist Stian “Shagrath” Thoresen and guitarist Sven “Silenoz” Kopperud remain the creative core of the band. Guitarist Galder exited, with Damage (guitar), Victor Brandt (bass), Daray (drums) and Gerlioz (keyboards) rounding out the current lineup.

They aren’t quite as prominent as on Eonion, but orchestrations and choirs remain core to Dimmu Borgir’s approach. There are nods to the old school with second wave black metal moments and a couple of songs in Norwegian, including the potent “Ulvgjeld & Blodsodel.” They also move forward, with some complex arrangements and modern motifs. The album flows really well, with varied intensities, speeds and styles. There is minimal filler in the 13 tracks, with some of the most memorable including the dynamic “As Seen In The Unseen,” the grandiose “Repository Of Divine Transmutation” and the symphonic “At The Precipice Of Convergence.” With Grand Serpent Rising, Dimmu Borgir show why they have been among the genre’s elite for decades. It’s our pick for May’s best album.

2. Devin Townsend – The Moth (InsideOut)

Devin Townsend has been working on the massive The Moth for over a decade. The ambitious opus features the North Netherlands Symphony Orchestra & Choir along with musicians such as guitarists Steve Vai and Mike Keneally (Frank Zappa) and vocalist Anneke Van Giersbergen. The album’s concept is transformation. It’s available in numerous configurations, some which include a Blu-ray of last concert performance of the songs in the Netherlands.

Townsend’s music works well with the orchestra, whether it’s atmospheric and reserved or epic and bombastic. The variety is evident out of the gate, with “War Beyond Words” displaying ebbs and flows along with both harsh and clean vocals. Epic tracks like “Covered By Causes” and “Orion” are balanced by more concise numbers such as “The Big Snit.” Instrumental interludes and short pieces add drama and context, becoming integral to the story. The Moth flows seamlessly from start to finish, a compelling and engaging work that lives up to and even exceeds its high expectations.

3. Frozen Soul – No Place Of Warmth (Century Media)

The third full length from the Texas death metal band Frozen Soul is No Place Of Warmth. They certainly don’t skimp on the guest appearances either, which include Robb Flynn of Machine Head, Devin Swank of Sanguisugabogg and oddly enough Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance. Way appears on the opening title track, which features big man Chad Green’s vocals while the guitars take a slow and methodical approach to the music which eventually gives Way a chance to shriek his vocals into the fray.

Frozen Soul have again delivered a quality death metal record with some notable amounts of variety and guests to keep you satisfied on repeat. For being one of the most consistent bands in modern death metal, No Place Of Warmth does a great job of not leaving the their fans out in the cold.

4. Venom – Into Oblivion (Noise)

Venom are unquestionably one of metal’s most influential bands. Spawned way back in the late ’70s, they have released some of the genre’s seminal albums. Unfortunately, the last several years have been marked by legal battles between former and current members instead of new material. The band’s current lineup includes founding vocalist/bassist Cronos along with guitarist Rage and drummer Dante, who have been together for over 15 years now.

The group’s sixteenth studio album is Into Oblivion, their first since 2018’s Storm The Gates, delivering a dose of classic Venom. Their raw but catchy style is streamlined with minimal filler and thrash, speed, punk, black and NWOBHM influences. Straightforward but infectious riffs make songs like “Man & Beast” and “Kicked Out Of Hell” memorable. And while there are plenty of throwback moments, the band injects modern flourishes as well. Into Oblivion delivers exactly what Venom fans want and expect, along with some unexpected moments that show the band’s creative juices are still flowing stronger than ever.

5. Yoth Iria – Gone With The Devil (Metal Blade)

An album like Gone With The Devil from Greek band Yoth Iria only comes along once in a blue moon (ironically that’s also the title of one of its songs). The music is essentially black metal but it’s enriched by several disparate elements: doom riffs, gothic vibes, children’s choir, harmony, aggression, clean and harsh vocals and much more. And nothing ever feels out of place. This is definitely a creative, meticulously crafted and well produced album.

The drumming, for example, is not overly technical and yet is powerful and fits the songs perfectly. The growling vocals are some of the most emotionally-laden I’ve ever heard. And whenever you least expect it, the guitars shred like there’s no tomorrow. While there aren’t any filler tracks here, highlights include the stunning “The Blind Eye Of Antichrist” (check out the video on YouTube) and the furious “I, Totem.”

6. Lair Of The Minotaur – I Hail I (The Grind-House)

With I Hail I, their first album in 16 years and fifth overall, Lair Of The Minotaur pull no punches on opener “Emperor of Dis” as you get absolutely decked from the word go. These Chicago natives are well known for their sludgy death doom with a hardcore edge. The album’s title track rolls over the listener in short order continuing the high flying 1-2 punch to get things started.

Band mainstays vocalist/guitarist Steve Rathbone and longtime drummer Chris Wozniak are back with the added services of the excellent Sanford Parker on bass and production duties. On “Saturnus Reign” the guitars swing back and forth like a blade-wielding pendulum, getting ever closer to achieving its ultimate goal, showing that this band can operate at both high and low speeds. The album also includes a black metal infused cover of “Family Tree” by contemporary Southern Gothic artist Ethel Cain, further expanding the band’s musical palette. Lair Of The Minotaur haven’t lost a step in all this time away from the fray. I Hail I is a raucous return without equal.